Stress Flashcards
Which biological systems have an adverse effect on our health?
The AUTONOMIC & ENDOCRINE responses are the biological aspects of an emotional response that has an adverse effects on health.
What situations arouse emotions for vigorous phys activity in response to keep us safe?
Threatening Situations
Describe the process of how stress hormone is realeased
SYMPATHETIC branch of the ANS becomes active and ADRENAL CORTEX secretes EPINEPHRINE, NOREPINEPHRINE, and STEROID stress hormones
What happens as a results of released stress hormones?
It increases our energy consumption by the body so “vigorous phys activity” is made rapidly.
What is EPINEPHRINE and where is released?
It’s essentially adrenaline and released by the adrenal cortex.
How is Epinephrine used in the body?
It affects GLUCOSE metabolism causing the nutrients stores in our muscles to be burned. It increases BLOOD FLOW to muscles by increasing our HR. And results in increased blood pressure which contributes to MI (myocardial infarction) and CVD (cardiovascular arrest)
How is NOREPINEPHRINE (NE) processed in our body?
It also increases BP and HR, in stressful situations it releases NE in the HYPOTHALMUS (ANS+metabolic process), FRONTAL LOBE (exec funct), and BASAL FOREBRAIN (wakefulness).
Describe the pathway of the release of NE
The release presumably is mediated by the pathway from the CENTRAL NUCLEUS of AMYGDALA to NE centers in brain stem.
What is GLUCOCORTICOID?
It’s a stress steroid hormone (e.g., cortisol). Called this bc of its strong influence on glucose metabolism.
What does glucocorticoid do in our body?
Causes breakdown of protein to glucose – aids in fat breakdown to glucose – increase blood flow – indirectly decrease prod. of sex steroid hormones –
Is glucocorticoid in every cell of the body?
Yes! Every cell has glucocorticoid receptors so they have a pervasive effect on the body.
Describe the release process of GLUCOCORTICOID…
Paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus secretes CORTICOTROPIN releasing factor (CRF) into capillaries connected to anterior pituitary —> Anterior Pituitary secretes Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) into general vascular circulation —> The ACTH causes adrenal cortex to release GLUCOCORTICOIDS
CRF also released in brain and acts as a neuromodulator especially in limbic system i.e., PAG, locus coeruleus and central nucleus of amygdala.
BC Glucocorticoid is essential for dealing w/ stress, removing it in animals will do what?
Result in DEATH in response to LOW level stressors.
What happens when adrenal glands are removed from humans?
They need injections of gluticorticoids to deal w/ stress effectively.
Research on health effects of stress
Concentration camp survivors had poorer health later in life, drivers on subways that injure or kill ppl, air traffic controllers all displayed negative health.
